| Layover> Philadelphia |
|
|
|
Page 2 of 2 Philly Favorites 
rowing on the placid Schuylkill
2. Fairmount Park is the city’s major park system (fairmountpark.org). With more than 215 miles of trails, offering mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and some rock-climbing locations, this is where “the city dweller goes to escape to the outdoors,” says Varalli. Long-distance riders can follow the Schuylkill River towpath as far as Valley Forge National Historical Park, 25 miles away. 3. “When I started my restaurant back in 1988, there were 54 white-linen-napkin restaurants,” says Varalli of the center of the city. Today the number is more than 350. Varalli recommends Fork (forkrestaurant.com). The bistro relies on local ingredients, so the menu changes with the seasons. 4. Rittenhouse 1715 (rittenhouse1715.com) is one of the few boutique hotels located in the center of the city, and it’s also Philadelphia’s finest. Stay in the Presidential suite, with its sleek spiral staircase, to get a feel for the city’s famous townhouses. Don’t be alarmed by the homey design and classic style; the rooms are stocked with plasma TVs, iPod hookups, and Internet access. 
seared Tuna at Fork
6. The best cheesesteaks are in South Philadelphia at Pat’s King of Steaks (patskingofsteaks.com) and Geno’s Steaks (genosteaks.com). Opinions vary on which is best. “I was a Pat’s guy for years,” says Varalli, but “Geno’s has a better product at this point in time.” 7. For a sophisticated lunch with a terrific wine selection, stop in at Rouge (215-732-6622). Adjacent to Rittenhouse Square Park, the bistro has outdoor seating that is a prime spot for people watching. In cooler months, sit inside at the bar and order a burger topped with caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese. 8. The Mummers Parade is a tradition going back well over 300 years in which local Mummers clubs compete. If you can’t make it for the New Year’s Day parade, check out the Mummers Museum (mummersmuseum.com). 9. For an after-dinner cigar, drink, and light fare, visit Mahogany on Walnut (phillycigarbar.com) for what Cigar Aficionado calls “the genuine article.” 10. “For breakfast,” Varalli says, “go where the locals go.” Morning Glory’s specialty is the pecan waffles. (215-413-3999) 11. ”Body Worlds” may have made anatomy exhibitions popular, but the Mütter Museum (collphyphil.org) is the original. Its collection of medical anomalies includes a woman whose body turned into soap after being buried. 12. Boathouse Row and the scullers on the Schuylkill are iconic in Philadelphia. To get in the scene rather than just watch from a distance, call Rowing Adventures, on Boathouse Row (610-668-2346), to get a one-hour lesson from a rowing legend. 13. The Kimmel Center (kimmelcenter.org) is Philadelphia's newest major arts venue. It houses the orchestra, ballet, opera company, and major musical productions. A highlight is its summer solstice festival. Comments (0)
 Write comment
|
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
| Next > |
|---|